Dietitian Pay

Kenner vs Lafayette: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Kenner, LA and Lafayette, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kenner, LA
$73,171
$35.18/hr
Lafayette, LA
$65,665
$31.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKenner, LALafayette, LA
Median Salary$73,171$65,665
Hourly Rate$35.18$31.56
Entry Level (P10)$48,996$43,004
25th Percentile$61,351$61,415
75th Percentile$87,752$73,883
Top Earner (P90)$102,444$83,058
Total Employed11100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kenner ($73,171) and Lafayette ($65,665) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.KennerLafayetteMedian Salary$73,171$65,665Entry Level (P10)$48,996$43,004Top Earner (P90)$102,444$83,058US Median $79,380

Verdict

Kenner, LA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lafayette.

The salary gap between Kenner and Lafayette is $7,506 (11.43%). Kenner's median is -7.82% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kenner spans $53,448,Lafayette spans $40,054. Kenner has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kenner
P10 (Entry)$48,996
P25$61,351
Median$73,171
P75$87,752
P90 (Top)$102,444
Lafayette
P10 (Entry)$43,004
P25$61,415
Median$65,665
P75$73,883
P90 (Top)$83,058

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kenner ($81,031 effective) pays 7.62% more than Lafayette ($75,296 effective).

Kenner
Nominal: $73,171
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $81,031
Lafayette
Nominal: $65,665
CoL Index: 87.209
Adjusted: $75,296

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kenner if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,171/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,444)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,031)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Lafayette if…

  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Kenner grew 42.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.4% growth in Lafayette over the same period.

Kenner, LA

+42.1%

$49,544 (2024) → $70,424 (2025)

Lafayette, LA

+19.4%

$52,930 (2019) → $63,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Kenner or Lafayette?

Kenner has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $73,171/year, compared to Lafayette at $65,665/year — a difference of $7,506 (11.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kenner and Lafayette?

Kenner dietitian and nutritionists earn $35.18/hr while Lafayette hygienists earn $31.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kenner to Lafayette as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kenner and Lafayette. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kenner = $81,031, Lafayette = $75,296), job availability (11 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Kenner vs Lafayette?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $48,996 in Kenner and $43,004 in Lafayette. The Kenner area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MS, RD

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a nutrition consultant. She specializes in sports nutrition. Aisha works with professional athletes and teams.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Gomez, RDNData verified by Emily Chen, MS, RDN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.90% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MS, RD, a licensed dietitian and nutritionist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov